Trenton debate team puts on a show of smarts

Trenton Central High School students: (From left) Chrisitian Malave, Humberto Ochoa and Anna Patricia Esqueda pose with debate winners students of University of Pennsylvania: Rohan Bopardikar, Rupali Singhal and Brianna Sainte after the public debate that took place in the Trenton High School auditorium on Dec. 6, 2012. Trentonian Photo/CARLOS AVILA.

TRENTON — The Trenton Central House auditorium was a packed house on Thursday with people attending the debate between Trenton High and the University of Pennsylvania.

Students, teachers, and community leaders witnessed TCHS students go toe-to-toe with the top college students.

The topic of debate was “In the United States, plea bargaining undermines the criminal justice system.” The TCHS debate team is made up of Humberto Ochoa, Anna Patricia Esqueda and Christian Malave. Representing University of Penn where Rupali Singhal Briana Sainte y Rohan Bopardikar.Universidad of Pennsylvania.

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“I think the debate between our high school students and the University of Pennsylvania students was exhilarating, informative, and I look forward to this team’s next debate. I am convinced that as a result of seeing TCHS peers in this light, many Trenton Central High School students will be encouraged to think even deeper about their life goals and careers,” said Barbara Walden, a math teacher who brought her students to watch the debate.

The panel of judges decided for the college students while dedicating a special mention to the local high school students.

Trenton debate team beat out Princeton University’s debate team two year ego.

“The University of Pennsylvania students are extraordinary young people. This is the best debate that I heard in years,” said Nicholas Cirillo, TCHS social studies teacher.